Villa Takali, starting 2022 right

 

Nanuku Resort Entrance,  Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo; Romi Cortier
Water Feature
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo Romi Cortier

Villa Takali, the luxurious Fijian Resort where Love Island was filmed, is where we kicked off our new year. Our friend Natalie is friends with the owner, and since the villa hadn’t been rented for the holidays, we were encouraged to pop by at our leisure, and enjoy the property.  On New Years day we headed  over to the villa, despite the heavy rains.  As far as I was concerned, a pool’s a pool, and even if it’s raining, it’s still 80 degrees… so how bad can it be. I had no idea what was in store for us.

To be honest, I’ve never heard of Villa Takali, and I’ve also never watched Love Island. Therefore, this entire experience took me by surprise. As we passed through the gate house, I felt like we were stepping onto a film set.  We parked the car, dodged rain drops as we crossed over the tennis courts, and headed into the covered colonnade. We dropped  our tote bags by the pool, and Natalie promptly took us on a 15 minute tour of the property. It seemed to go on forever.

Guest Suite, Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Guest Bathroom, Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
navy blue pool
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo; Romi Cortier

The villa spans two acres set on Loloma Beach, with 10,000 square feet of living space.  Imagine if you will, a private residence  with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms,  upper and lower guests suites, a master suite separate from the main house, a theater room, access to the private beach in front of the home. And did I mention the pool? It’s one of the largest private pools I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Pool View
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Grounds at Villa Takali
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Pool View
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Villa Takali, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

The infinity pool is covered in navy blue tiles, which gives it a luxurious dark blue color. It also makes it that much more intriguing as you step into the pool, because you’re not quite sure how deep it is. As you wade in and immerse yourself, all of your cares disappear. It’s you, the pool, the ocean, and the sky.

We spent hours swimming laps, playing games and lounging in the shallow end of the pool. I also spent some time by myself, walking the grounds of the property. There were so many beautiful details to take in. The lushness of the grounds, the multiple covered walkways, the private outdoor gardens, a  private 6 person jacuzzi off the master suite… every detail was beautifully thought out. Even in the rain, the villa was completely magical.

The villa can sleep up to 14 people and would be the perfect getaway for either a group of friends, or a large family.  And yes,  a private chef is available to tend to you and  your families  every need. This is truly a  sanctuary in the heart of the South Pacific with every amenity you can dream of.  A huge shout out to Natalie for giving us a taste of the good life… the really good life.

Loloma Beach,  Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

Learn more about Villa Takali HERE 

 

 

 

A Reunion at Fiji’s Nanuku Resort

Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo:Romi Cortier
Christmas Dinner, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Staff

Christmas dinner in Fiji at Nanuku Resort, that was our plan But it was no easy journey. We spent over 24 hours traveling to Fiji from Los Angeles.  Double masked for the duration, we arrived 4 hours early to LAX, only to learn that our flight had been delayed 4  hours. Strong headwinds added extra time to our 14 hour flight, add in customs and a 2 hour drive from Nadi to Pacific Harbor, and it felt like the trip that would never end.  By the time our driver pulled up to the Pearl Resort in Fiji, the same resort we’d gotten engaged at in the summer of 2016, we were absolutely exhausted.

My now husband, had been working on the reality show Kicking and Screaming during  the spring of 2016. After his show wrapped, I joined him there and made the proposal with the help of the hotel staff.  During his six week stay there, Recio had  become great friends with the resorts GM,  Ms. Natalie Marletta. I knew she’d be the perfect point person to help make the proposal spectacular, and she delivered. Hand cut flowers, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a spectacular dinner on the patio of Seduce restaurant, with a panoramic view of the South Pacific… this was no Gilligan’s Island. This was Fiji in all it’s glory,

Our friendship with Natalie has grown over the years. She attended our wedding in Venice, Italy, along with her husband, and she frequently visited us in Los Angeles when she was in town on business. And the last such time that she did that… Thursday March 13, 2020.  We were texting with Nat as she boarded her flight to LA, I said:  are you sure you should be coming to the states, they’re starting to shut things down. She said: Oh no honey, I’ll be fine. Twelve hours later as she exited her first class flight, the world had changed. She’d expected to be in LA for a week. However, she was informed that she had to return to Fiji the very next night, as LA was going into full lockdown on Sunday.

If we only had one night in LA for fine dining, then it had  to be at one of our favorite spots, so we headed to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. We arrived with our little bottle of hand sanitizer, to a nearly empty dining room sprinkled with guests. We had an amazingly long and luxurious dinner, and also ran into George Hamilton. At 80+ years of age, he knows how to turn on the charm, and  graciously took a photo with us. It seems we always run into celebrities when we’re with Natalie… she’s our good luck charm.

Dinner at the Polo lounge
Romi Cortier, Natalie Marletta, Recio Young, Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills, Ca.

When we said goodbye that night, none of us could have imagined how long it would be until we’d see each other again. While our lockdowns in the states were intermittent over the next year,  Fiji would remain closed until December 1st, 2021, over 21 months.

So was it worth it to make such an exhausting journey just three weeks after Fiji had reopened? You better believe it was. After a gazillion  phone calls, whats app chats, texts  and emails, Natalie was finally standing in front of us, in the flesh. Her gorgeous smile and radiant blue eyes were soup for the soul. Since we were four hours delayed arriving at her resort, she grabbed us, threw us in the Hummer, and hightailed it  down the road to Nanuku Resort, where her family was patiently waiting.

We arrived at the resort, hopped out of the SUV, and walked down the long log colonnade to an outdoor dining area with ocean views. It was divine!! And there was our dinner table lined with familiar faces, her husband, her kids, and a few new friends she couldn’t wait to introduce us too. We ate and drank for  hours,  basked in the warm Fijian air, and showered the kids with gifts that we’d brought from LA.

Christmas is Fiji is so much simpler than in the states. No over the top tinsel decorations from Target, Costco or Walmart. Just hand made displays nodding to the spirit of the season. It’s simpler, relaxed, and exactly what we needed to wrap up 2021. We’d missed that Bula Spirit, and were so happy to be back at our second home.

 

Bula, Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

Branded image by pool
Nanuku Resort, Fiji. Photo: Romi Cortier

 

 

Gucci Garden Inspires

Little did I know that  when I walked into Gucci Garden,  it would be a huge source of inspiration for my own blossoming brand. Located in the heart of Florence in the historic 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia, it’s part museum, part retail, and home to Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura.   Creative director Alessandro Michele conceived it as a living, collaborative space which expresses the evolving aesthetic and philosophy of the House.

Couture Gown
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Galleria , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Sequin Dress
Sequin Dress, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Ideally its best to start on the third floor, and work you way downstairs to the retail boutique. The top floor begins with vintage Gucci pieces that will  tantalize your eyes. The sumptuous colors and hand beading are simply beyond.  I particularly loved all of the Chinoiserie inspired pieces.

Pink Jacket
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy, Photo: Romi Cortier
Pink Dress
Couture Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

This pink and black jacket  screams Jackie O with a  twist. The bold black trim and massive rhinestones drew me right in for a closer look. It’s beyond dramatic, and takes black piping to a whole new level.

Python Jacket
Python Jacket, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And this python overcoat is in a category all by itself. The colors are exquisite, and the use of the bold patterning is  dynamic.

Gucci
Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Kimono
Kimono, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

Once downstairs in the boutique, I was fascinated by the beautiful use of fabrics and tassels in the displays. It made me think about my own wedding that I’d just designed. My instincts were spot on.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Shoes
Shoes, Gucci Garden, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

And then, there were the amazing Gucci Pillows! Wow. So stunning,  so Inspiring,  so deluxe, so… extra.

Gucci Pillows
Gucci Pillows, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo; Romi Cortier

The biggest surprise in the boutique were the limited edition chairs. They start at $2600, and top out at  $5500.  The ottoman is $3500, and the tv / side tray is $1450.

Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique , Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Chair
Chair, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Ottoman
Ottoman, Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier

I certainly couldn’t leave empty handed, so I purchased a new iPhone case in the bookstore. From what I understand, the phone cases are only available at  this one of a kind boutique in Florence.

iPhone Case
iPhone Case , Gucci Garden Boutique, Florence, Italy Photo: Romi Cortier
Gucci
Romi Cortier, Gucci Garden Galleria, Florence, Italy Photo; Recio Young

Gucci Garden Galleria is a real and imaginary place, the translation of a vision that stretches through the first and second floors and is filled with history, objects, anecdotes and geographies. A series of rooms unfolds from a story that begins in 1921, to today, ready to be reactivated, according to philosopher Walter Benjamin, ‘in future-rich constellations in which the past can meet the present’. 

Continue the Gucci experience HERE 

 

Our Rehearsal Dinner on the Grand Canal

 

My idea for our rehearsal dinner on the Grand Canal  started out as a simple meet and greet kind of concept.  Something casual,  low key,  and intimate.  A place where our guests could break the ice and get to know each other,  before we were married the following day. However,  things didn’t quite go in that direction.

Mandy Forrester-Jones
Mandy Forrester-Jones, Viva Travel, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca.

Our wedding planner from Australia, Mandi Forrester-Jones of Viva Travel, was coming to LA for a few days on her way home from Italy.  It was the perfect opportunity to get together for dinner, and to discuss  how the plans were coming along.  Besides working on travel accommodations for our guests, she was also working to help us find a small venue where we could  have pizza and gelato near the waters edge. After weeks of emailing and contacting several small cafes, the options just weren’t coming together. It was either going to be a long  walk from our hotel, or a venue  packed with lots of tourists.  It just didn’t feel right, so she suggested that I check with our hotel to see what options they might have.

Simona Miranda
Recio Young, Simona Miranda, Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy
#RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

I reached out to Simona Miranda, our event coordinator at the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal. We’d had our initial interview with her during Christmas of 2018, while scouting wedding venues. We loved her, and we loved the venue, which is how we’d gotten this far. I emailed  Simona about the idea of a cocktail party on the terrace. Time was running out, as there were only six weeks left until the wedding. After a few emails back and forth we decided that it was a go.  She quoted me a price per person, gave me some food options, and then asked if I’d like a printed menu… a printed menu? for a cocktail party? Sure, why not.

Terrace
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

I think something got lost in translation. When I arrived on the terrace about 20 minutes before the party, I was surprised to see a sit down event. It was complete with tables and tablecloths, candles,  wine glasses, and a full wait staff ready to attend to our every need.  And of course,  there were those fabulous little  menus, placed gently on the plates, along with the cocktail napkins I’d designed for the cocktail hour.

Ms. Taylor
Ms. Taylor and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Ms. Natalie Marletta
Romi Cortier and Ms. Natalie Marletta, Hotel Monaco & Grand Hotel, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Our guests began to arrive, all 35 of them. They were thrilled at the elaborate layout,  as they too expected a simple cocktail hour.  It was turning into the perfect Venetian evening.  Glowing guests, a balmy 75 degrees, the full moon reflecting across the lagoon… you could feel the magic in the making.

Ms. Davis
Recio Young, Ms. Davis and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Guest Arriving
Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Ms. Ibay, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
The Youngs
Ms. Young and Isaiah Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Everyone was so excited to finally meet the people whose faces they’d  only seen on social media. Friends from Fiji and Australia got to meet our families from Chicago and Seattle. Our friends from Texas were introduced to friends from San Francisco. The wine was flowing, as trays and trays of appetizers glided onto the tables.

The Sisters
Ms. Bigelow, Ms. Puckett and Recio Young, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Jud Nichols
Recio Young, Jud Nichols and Romi Cortier, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Dinner entrees included a course of 3 types of spaghetti: vegetarian, seafood and beef, all  made with the freshest Italian pasta. The flow of food and delicacies lasted for at least three hours and included  an assortment of deserts, cappuccino and did I mention, more wine?

The Ladies
Ms. Chan, Ms. Harville, Ms. Forgue, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

True to form,  Recio gave one of his epic toasts. He always knows the right emotional tone to hit. He’s generous in his praise of people, thanks to his astute observations of who they are. He makes friends for life and wants to see everyone become their best selves, and live their best life.

The Toast
Romi Cortier, Recio Young and Guests, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

What started out as an idea for a casual evening of pizza and gelato, turned into the most amazing 5 hour evening of love, laughter, and celebration. It’s an evening we’ve come to value even more during this time of Covid, because in the end, Love Wins.

Romi & Recio
Romi Cortier and Recio, Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

 

Mandy Forrester- Jones can be reached at Viva Travel

Simona Miranda can be reached at   VIP Service Italia 

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk was the perfect backdrop for our wedding photos. After our nuptials in the Ridotto Ballroom, we hopped in a private boat with our crew of photographers, and sped across the famed lagoon.

Venice Lagoon
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venice Lagoon, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The 16th-century Benedictine church, a basilica in the classical Renaissance style,  can be seen from the gondola lined shores of San Marco. Its gleaming white marble has inspired artists for centuries. Think Claude Monet,  Canaletto, and Francesco Guardi.  Each of them have created  multiple paintings capturing the magical and ever changing light in Venice.

San Giorgio Maggiore
Recio Young and Romi Cortier, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

This Palladian landmark was designed by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Begun in 1566, it took nearly 50 years to complete. Palladio was inspired by the formal classical temples of the ancient Greeks and Romans, focusing on symmetry. He adhered to the principles of classical Roman architecture, based on mathematical proportions and an absence of rich ornamentation.

The Basilica
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
Steps
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding
The Rings
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy Photo Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

The first church on this island was built in 790.  In 982 the island was given to the Benedictine order by Doge Tribuno Memmo. The Benedictines founded a monastery there, however, all of the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1223. The church and monastery were rebuilt after the earthquake.

Kneeling
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

In the photo above, you can see the Doges Palace on the shores of San Marco, as seen from the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The water ways have been an essential part of Venice’s history. The 11th century was Venice’s first golden age of maritime power, reaching its peak in the 17th century with nearly 190,00 citizens.  By the 18th Century, all of that had changed.  1797 marked the Fall of the Republic of Venice at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte and Habsburg Austria.

Holding Hands
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

It’s difficult to comprehend a civilized island with a 1300 year history… but here we are. We are beyond thrilled and blessed to have experience  such a beautiful  moment in the long arch of history in Venice.

Yacht
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Dusk at San Giorgio Maggiore, Italy, Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

Until we meet again dear Venice…

Silhouette
Romi Cortier and Recio Young, Venice Lagoon, Italy Photo: Wladimiro Speranzoni #RomiAndReciosVenetianWedding

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier